With Christmas just around the corner, excitement is building for festive travels. But this year, UK train passengers might find themselves facing unexpected hurdles. The looming concern of staff shortages, paired with impending industrial action, has put both passengers and officials on high alert.
Transport Minister Lord Hendy is acutely aware of the issue, stating, "We’re keeping close tabs on staffing during the holidays to prevent chaos." The prospect of less staff during one of the busiest travel seasons raises alarms about potential disruptions on various routes across the network.
The alarm bells began ringing recently after the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union announced plans for strikes among Avanti West Coast train managers. They are set to walk off the job on December 22, 23, and again on December 29. Their grievance? Disputes over rest-day working practices, which have left union reps describing current working conditions as entirely "unacceptable." With around 300 train managers expected to participate, the situation could wreak havoc just before thousands make their Christmas journeys.
Train services during the festive period are notoriously tricky to maintain, primarily due to contracts exempting many drivers and crew members from Sunday work. Many operators typically come to rely on workers volunteering for extra paid shifts. While this has often succeeded during less hectic times, the same cannot be said for major holiday periods like Christmas and New Year.
The government's concern, as voiced by Hendy, is exacerbated by the planned closures for engineering work on many railway lines over Christmas. This year, Network Rail—a key player behind the scenes—has openly stated they aim to conduct maintenance work at times when passenger numbers are expected to be significantly lower. Traditionally, demand plummets during the festive week; major stations might see 50 to 60 percent fewer travelers than usual. Still, Hendy worries these closures could place undue pressure on the remaining operational lines, possibly leading to hefty service disruptions.
Compounding these concerns, Avanti West Coast announced just last week to its customers, warning them of the "significant disruption" anticipated during their peak travel season. They admitted they had no choice but to thoroughly review their operational plans due to the strike and anticipated workforce shortages.
Looking at specific routes, the situation is not promising. London Liverpool Street will close from Christmas Day through January 2, effectively halting services right when travelers hope to be heading home or to family gatherings. For those heading to the airport, Heathrow Express services won’t run between Paddington and the station either. Meanwhile, train traffic around Crewe will face shutdowns and rerouting from late December through early January.
Despite these plans, Hendy maintains optimism. He reassured lawmakers, saying, “I’ve been corresponding with our industry partners frequently to make necessary arrangements to keep services as stable as possible during the holidays.” Still, he admits, the festive season poses unique challenges. “The reliance on overtime has become excessive, which can lead to cancellations if drivers are unwilling to oblige.
Strikes planned by the RMT are sure to unsettle the balance. Hendy explained to the Transport Select Committee, "What makes this more concerning is the closures of parts of the railway on December 25—our complete shutdown day—and having fewer trains on the others may create ripples across the entire network."
Last year, the UK saw chaotic travel during the holidays due to the pandemic’s aftershocks. Many passengers were left stranded due to unanticipated cancellations and delays, forcing families to seek alternative travel methods. With Christmas transport woes rearing their heads once again, many are understandably anxious about what this year will bring.
With all this uncertainty, the Department for Transport (DfT) has communicated with rail companies to gauge availability and adjust shift patterns to mitigate blackout days. This means putting out more shifts and possibly hiring temporary workers to ease pressure. And yet, even as they work to patch things up, Downing Street has already urged train managers to reconsider their stance on the planned strikes.
Last Christmas, similar staff shortages caused major headaches for holiday travelers, marked by late trains and lengthy waiting periods for service availability. With the added expectation of many families opting for rail travel this festive season, the public’s patience may wear thin when faced with similar annoyances before holiday gatherings.
The RMT’s current proposals, rejecting agreements on paid rest-day work, appear to stem from discontent with working conditions lately, marking a stark warning from union leaders about the need for solid negotiations to prevent more significant service disruptions.
Transport Minister Lord Hendy has said, "We must retain the necessary discussions with the unions to avert strike action altogether." The stakes are high for thousands who rely heavily on rail networks to facilitate their travel plans. Therefore, it seems the call for cooperation among unions, train companies, and the government could not be more timely.
Expectations remain heightened as the festive season approaches. Passengers are hopeful for clarity on their travel plans, as fears of chaos grow with every passing day—and every new announcement from unions or the transport ministers. Whether this Christmas will be marked by trains running smoothly or delayed chaos, only time will tell.
